Beibei Tianyan Cave Guide For Foreigners: Explore Chongqing’s Hidden Natural Wonder

Everyone’s talking about Chongqing’s 8D magic—trains through buildings, stairs that go to the 10th floor… but as a local who’s lived here 30 years (and helped over 200 foreign friends plan trips in 8 years), I can tell you: the city’s most amazing spots aren’t the viral ones. Most tourists miss Tianyan Cave (天眼洞)—a karst cave with a “sky eye” on its roof, where you can look up at clouds while standing inside a cave.​

I’ve seen friends spend days in downtown Chongqing and never hear about this place. That’s why I made this guide: to show you how to visit Tianyan Cave like a local—no crowds, no scams, just pure natural and cultural fun. This is how I take my foreign friends to escape the city’s chaos.​

Tianyan Cave (Tianyan Dong)

1. About Tianyan Cave (Tianyan Dong) – Beibei Tianyan Cave guide for foreigners​

Tianyan Cave isn’t just a cave—it’s a mix of nature and culture. I love it because it’s quiet, and the “sky eye” view feels like something out of a movie.​

1.1 What Makes It Special​

• Location: Yongxing Village, Liuyin Town, Beibei District, Chongqing (1.5 hours from downtown).​

• Size: 800 meters long, 30,000 square meters inside—big enough to walk around comfortably, but not so big you get lost.​

• The “Sky Eye”: A natural hole in the cave’s roof. Stand under it, and you can see the sky, clouds, even the moon at night. My friend from Canada said it “felt like looking up at a window to the sky.”​

• Temperature: 18–20°C all year—cool in summer, warm in winter. Perfect for escaping Chongqing’s hot summers!​

1.2 The Buddha Statue​

• Details: A 5-meter-tall Sakyamuni Buddha carved into the cave’s natural rock. It’s light gray, with a calm face and hands in a meditation pose.​

• History: Not ancient—made in 2018 by local craftsmen (took 3 months!). It’s meant to mix the cave’s natural beauty with Buddhist ideas of “finding peace.”​

• Why I Love It: Small stone lanterns and lotus carvings around the Buddha match the cave’s stalactites. It feels like nature and culture are talking to each other.​

• Personal Touch: I brought my friend from Thailand here last year—she’s Buddhist, and she sat in front of the Buddha for 10 minutes. She said it was “the most peaceful moment of her trip.”​

Tianyan Cave (Tianyan Dong)

2. How to Get to Tianyan Cave – Beibei Tianyan Cave guide for foreigners​

Here’s the thing: there’s no direct bus to Tianyan Cave. But don’t worry—I’ll show you the easiest ways.​

2.1 Self-Driving​

• Time: 1.5 hours from downtown Chongqing.​

• Route: Take the Ring Expressway → Yubei-Beibei Expressway → Exit at Liuyin Town → Follow signs to Tianyan Cave (easy to find!).​

• Parking: Free parking lot at the cave entrance—no extra fees (unlike some tourist spots!).​

• Why I Recommend It: You can leave whenever you want, and you don’t have to wait for buses. I always drive here with friends—it’s more flexible.​

2.2 Taking a Taxi​

• One-Way Price: ~¥150 from downtown (depends on traffic).​

• Warning: The hard part is the return trip—there are few taxis near the cave. Book a round-trip taxi in advance (ask your hotel to help!) or use Didi (Chinese Uber) to call a car before you leave the cave.​

• Avoid This: Don’t take a random taxi on the street—some drivers will overcharge you. Use a licensed taxi from a hotel or airport.​

2.3 Tour Groups​

• Price: ~¥200–¥300 per person (includes round-trip transport and ticket).​

• Pros: No stress—they pick you up from your hotel and drop you off. Guides speak English (most of them!), so you’ll learn more about the cave.​

• Cons: You have to follow the group’s schedule—no staying late if you love the cave.​

• Pro Tip: Book with small local tour groups (not big international ones)—they’re cheaper and more flexible. I recommend “Chongqing Local Tours” (I’ve worked with them before, and their guides are great!).​

Tianyan Cave (Tianyan Dong)

3. Tickets & Activity Prices – Beibei Tianyan Cave guide for foreigners​

Prices aren’t too high, but it’s good to know what to expect. I’ll help you avoid overspending.​

3.1 Cave Ticket​

• Adult Price: ¥49–¥85 (changes with seasons/events—check Ctrip or Meituan in advance!).​

• Free Entry: Kids under 1.2 meters, seniors over 70 (bring ID!).​

• Save Money: Buy tickets online 1 day before—you’ll get a ¥10 discount (I always do this!).​

3.2 Adventure Activities​

Rock Descending (Yanjiang)​

• What It Is: 60-meter high cliff descent—you control the speed (scary but fun!).​

• Price: ~¥237 per person (includes cave ticket).​

• Who It’s For: Brave people! My cousin tried it last summer—she screamed at first, but then she loved it.​

Via Ferrata (Feilada)​

• What It Is: Rock climbing along the cave’s wall—like “spider-man”! It was made for kids, so some parts are narrow (you have to squat to walk).​

• Package Price: Rock Descending + Via Ferrata + Ticket = ~¥369 per person.​

• Avoid This: Don’t do this if you’re afraid of heights—some parts are high, and it’s hard to turn back.​

3.3 Important Note​

Prices can change—always check the official WeChat account or Ctrip before you go. I once took a friend here, and the Via Ferrata price was ¥20 cheaper than I expected—happy surprise!​

Tianyan Cave (Tianyan Dong)

4. Photography Tips – Beibei Tianyan Cave guide for foreigners​

Want great photos? Follow these tips—I’ve taken hundreds of photos here, and these tricks work every time.​

4.1 Best Time to Shoot​

• Golden Hours: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM on sunny days. Sunlight comes through the “sky eye” and makes a “light beam” (Tyndall effect). It shines on the Buddha, and the photo looks magical.​

• Avoid This: Don’t go on cloudy days—no light beam, and photos will be dark. Check the weather app before you leave!​

4.2 What to Wear​

• Bright Colors: Red, yellow, or orange clothes—they stand out against the cave’s gray rocks. My friend from Brazil wore a red dress, and her photos looked amazing.​

• Tight Clothes: Loose clothes can look messy in photos, especially for Via Ferrata or Rock Descending. Wear leggings or tight pants—you’ll look better and move easier.​

4.3 Best Angles​

• Buddha & Sky Eye: Stand on the 栈道 (wooden path) and look up—take a photo of the Buddha with the light beam from the sky eye. Use portrait mode to blur the background.​

• Adventure Shots: For Via Ferrata/Rock Descending, ask your friend to stand below you. Tell them to shoot from a low angle—it makes you look higher and more adventurous.​

• Stalactites: Crouch down and take a photo of the 水晶长廊 (Crystal Corridor) stalactites—they look like ice, and the low angle makes them look taller.​

4.4 Equipment​

• Phone: Use night mode if it’s dark inside—phone cameras work well! Clean your lens first (mine was dirty once, and photos were blurry).​

• Camera: If you have a DSLR, use a wide-angle lens for the sky eye—it will capture more of the cave. Bring a tripod for low-light shots (but don’t block the path for others!).​

Tianyan Cave (Tianyan Dong)

5. Travel Tips – Beibei Tianyan Cave guide for foreigners​

These small tips will make your trip smoother. I’ve learned them from taking friends here so many times.​

5.1 Shoes​

• Wear Non-Slip Shoes: The cave’s path is wet—sneakers or hiking shoes are best. I saw a tourist wear flip-flops once, and he slipped (luckily, he didn’t get hurt).​

5.2 Clothes​

• Bring a Light Jacket: Even in summer, the cave is cool (18–20°C). I always bring a thin jacket—my friend from Australia forgot his, and he was cold.​

5.3 Safety First​

• Follow the Guide: For Via Ferrata/Rock Descending, listen to the coach. They’ll help you put on safety gear—don’t skip any steps. Safety first!​

5.4 Phone Signal​

• No Signal Inside: The cave has bad phone service. Tell your family/friends your plan before you go (e.g., “I’ll be back at 3 PM”).​

5.5 Respect the Buddha​

• Be Quiet: The Buddha area is peaceful—don’t shout or touch the Buddha/carvings. It’s rude to the culture, and other visitors will be annoyed.​

Final Recommendation: My Go-To Guide for Tianyan Cave​

I spent 2 months helping put together DolphinUnion’s Chongqing guide—even I use it when my foreign friends visit, because it has all the little details I can’t fit in this blog. The guide has hidden photo spots (like the small path behind the Buddha that gives you a perfect sky eye view) and a local food map (the best noodles near the cave—¥10 for a big bowl!)—two exclusive tips you won’t find here.

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Last week, a reader from Canada messaged me. He followed my guide to Tianyan Cave, and he said the light beam photo he took “got 200 likes on Instagram.” He also used the food map and loved the noodles—he said it was “the best Chinese food he’d ever had.”​

If you don’t want to miss these hidden spots, or worry about getting lost, grab our

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DolphinUnion guide. It’s like having a local friend with you the whole time—no stress, no mistakes, just a great trip to Tianyan Cave. You’ll save time, take amazing photos, and make memories you’ll talk about for years.